Therapies and Personal Development

Over the last number of years many of our Sisters have taken initiatives to develop a new range of Ministries which help to enhance quality of life and to energise Sisters for renewal and change. An increasing number are now choosing to work as professional counsellors/psychotherapists, complementary therapists and group facilitators. In counselling/psychotherapy, individuals, couples or families are offered opportunities to look more closely at problems in their lives in a non-threatening, safe and confidential setting. Through the provision of complementary/alternative therapies/remedies people are being offered a holistic approach to health care. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their therapy in a way that is appropriate and helpful for them.

CAPTIONS: (Sr Teresa Nannery RSM, a Counsellor and Family Therapist)

Therapies to help address problem issues of low self-confidence, stress, disharmony,
hypertension, bereavement and fear include:

Counselling/Psychotherapy
• Reflexology
• Aromatherapy
• Reiki
• Sports Massage
• Tai Chi
• Group Activity
• Bach Flower Remedies

CAPTIONS: (A Reflexologist practises as the client's daughter looks on)

Two of the larger centres in our Province, offering an extensive range of counselling, personal development courses and alternative therapies are TARA Centre in Omagh and the AISLING Centre in Enniskillen. The TARA Centre is an inter-congregational project run by Sr Mary Daly, Mercy, and Sr Maura Twohig, Presentation (Contact: Tel 028 8225 0024 or see website at www.taraomagh.com). The Director of the AISLING centre is Colin Crossey (Tel 028 6632 5811 or see website at www.aislingcentre.com). THE CENTRE FOR CREATIVE ENERGY in Derry was set up to provide services that would be imaginative, innovative and helpful to people in terms of self-development and wellbeing. It offers many of the above therapies in addition to a Listening Service and Relaxation Therapy.

Contact: Sr Winnie Lynott,
Tel: 028 85548127
email winnielynott@lineone.net

"NEW LIFE COUNSELLING SERVICE, ARDOYNE" is a Counselling service in one of the most troubled areas of North Belfast. It began as a joint initiative between Fr John Friel, Passionist and Sister Kathleen Savage, Mercy, when a small office was opened in 1993. The service expanded over the years to include Youth Empowerment and Child Therapy Projects and finally moved to the larger offices of the New Life Counselling Service, Ardoyne in June 2000. The Centre, which has now become a company limited by guarantee, continues the work of counselling vulnerable women, children and families. Sr Kathleen Savage, RSM has relinquished her post as Clinical Co-ordinator and is happy to see the community manage the day-to-day work. Throughout the entire project she acknowledges the substantial financial assistance received from the Sisters of Mercy and other funders.

CAPTIONS: (Youth Empowerment Project: Young people discussing their problems with two Youth Counsellors)

Sr Kathleen now continues the work of Therapy, Counselling and Clinical Supervision on a personal basis. Many other Sisters work on an individual basis offering a number of the above therapies. We also have a few Sisters who have trained in Hypnotherapy; Dreams/Journalling, Holotropic Therapy, Music and Art Therapy. A full range of services is offered to everyone at an affordable cost.